The rising number of rape cases in Jharkhand prompted Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu to summon DGP DK Pandey last week; Murmu asked Pandey to take appropriate measures to ensure safety of women

Jharkhand has witnessed an overall increase in the number of rape cases but the first quarter of 2018 saw a decrease, according to state police data issued on Monday.

The total number of rape cases registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 were 1,122, 1,198, 1,146 and 1,335 respectively. The average cases in 2014 per month was 93.50, which increased to 113.08 per month in 2017.

Till March 2018, a total of 328 rape cases were registered. But in the first quarter, the number of cases was 109.08, a decrease from 113.08 from the same period last year, the data showed.

According to the police, incidents of rape were much more in the neighbouring states of Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.

"Several measures have been taken for safety of the women. One third of the female staff in the police have been promoted to the ranks of Deputy Superintendent of Police" a Crime Investigation Department (CID) official told IANS.

Other measures like the Shakti App was launched to help women report crimes immediately.